September

Between September and November, one of the most impressive insects in Tambopata can be found on the trails. At first sight, nothing seams to be special about them. But wait for the night. That is when parts of their bodies turn green or orange. These beetles have two lights on their abdomen that resemble the eyes of a supernatural being. That is why locals call this bug “Ojos del Tunche” or “Tunche Eyes”.
“El Tunche” is an evil spirit of the forest and a well respected character by the locals that appears in several tales. The other bug producing a light is the firefly, which produces an orange light on its abdomen with a chemical reaction involving different enzymes.

The Tambopata River is among the longest rivers in Madre de Dios. Its average depth is 7-10 meters (21-30 feet) but can fluctuate up to 3 meters (9 feet) in a single day!
September is the driest month in Tambopata. In other words, the amount of rain is at its lowest point. So is the water level of the Tambopata River, as well as the water level of the oxbow lakes and the ponds found within the forest. Some of the smaller ponds can even disappear completely. Although not reaching the importance of bodies of water known from Africa, these in Tambopata also represent an important source of water for animals during these dry weeks.